[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER 1: Did you know that you can help build a child's brain?
Everyday interactions can have a big impact
on developing brains throughout childhood, starting
even before babies can talk.
SPEAKER 2: Scientists call this "Serve and Return."
Like a game of tennis or ping pong,
a child serves by showing an interest in something,
and the adult responds in a supportive way.
SPEAKER 1: Finding moments throughout the day to do it
is easy and fun, and you'll be building strong brains.
You can use five steps to practice Serve and Return
with any child.
Step one, share the focus.
SPEAKER 2: When a child is interested or curious,
you can see it.
SPEAKER 3: What's this?
It's a stroller.
SPEAKER 1: Watch this child look at something in a book,
right there.
Pointing shows interest.
SPEAKER 4: Cow.
SPEAKER 1: So does making a sound,
like this child, and mom is paying close attention.
SPEAKER 2: See baby moving those little arms and legs
and focusing on the ball?
That's a serve.
SPEAKER 1: The key is paying attention
to what the child is noticing.
SPEAKER 5: Oh, you like those guys, too?
SPEAKER 1: Look at grandpa sharing the focus.
SPEAKER 2: By noticing serves, you will help build curiosity,
and you'll strengthen your relationship.
SPEAKER 1: Step two, support and encourage.
SPEAKER 2: You can return a child's serve
by saying a word of encouragement.
SPEAKER 5: That's right.
Very good.
SPEAKER 2: Watch grandpa return this serve by saying thank you.
SPEAKER 5: Yeah, thank you.
SPEAKER 1: Even a facial expression
can encourage a child.
SPEAKER 6: Orange?
SPEAKER 1: Or motion, like this mom dancing.
SPEAKER 6: Ey, ey, ey.
SPEAKER 2: You can also pick up the object
that the child is pointing to and bring it closer.
SPEAKER 3: Do you need help to sit her down?
SPEAKER 1: Things like helping and playing with the child
let them know that their thoughts and feelings are
heard and understood.
SPEAKER 1: Step three, name it.
SPEAKER 6: Yeah, the puppy.
See the windows, the house.
SPEAKER 2: When you return a child's
serve by naming what they are seeing, doing, or feeling,
you make important language connections in their brain.
SPEAKER 5: He's got bumps all over him, huh?
SPEAKER 1: This brain building happens even before a child can
talk or understand your words.
SPEAKER 2: You can name anything, a person, a thing,
an action, a feeling, or a combination.
SPEAKER 4: Clean up, clean up.
Everybody do your share.
SPEAKER 1: When you name what a child is focused on,
you help build understanding of the world around us
and what to expect from it.
SPEAKER 3: The baby is sitting.
Oh, the baby is sitting in the backseat of the car.
SPEAKER 5: You like those?
Those are raisins.
You have raisins all the time.
SPEAKER 2: Naming also gives a child words to use later
and shows that words are important to you.
SPEAKER 1: Step four, take turns back and forth.
SPEAKER 2: Taking turns helps children learn self-control
and how to get along with others.
SPEAKER 1: Waiting is crucial.
When you return a serve, give the child a chance to respond.
SPEAKER 7: How are you?
SPEAKER 3: How are you?
I'm good, how are you?
SPEAKER 1: Note that the caregiver waits here
for the next serve.
SPEAKER 2: See this toddler navigating a new adventure?
Grandpa is waiting patiently, returning
serves by asking questions and then waiting
to see what happens next.
SPEAKER 5: You want a cover?
SPEAKER 8: Yeah.
SPEAKER 5: Are you cold?
SPEAKER 8: Yeah.
SPEAKER 5: We'll put this over your lap like this, OK?
Do you like that?
SPEAKER 8: No.
SPEAKER 5: Oh.
SPEAKER 1: By waiting, you give the child time
to develop ideas and build confidence and independence.
SPEAKER 9: Muy bien.
SPEAKER 2: Step five, practice endings and beginnings.
Children signal when they're done or ready to move on
to a new activity.
SPEAKER 1: Watch how this child shows it's time
to start something new.
Letting go of a toy signals an ending.
Then picking up a new toy signals the next beginning.
SPEAKER 4: Want to play with the giraffe?
SPEAKER 2: Sharing the focus is important in this step.
SPEAKER 6: Oh, the big eagle.
SPEAKER 2: Because this mom is sharing the focus,
she notices when her child is ready to end one activity
and begin something new.
SPEAKER 6: X, Y, and Z.
SPEAKER 1: When you can find these moments for a child
to take the lead--
SPEAKER 3: You want to try this one?
SPEAKER 1: --you support the child in exploring their world.
SPEAKER 3: Would you like to play with something else?
SPEAKER 1: And make more serve and return
interactions possible.
SPEAKER 3: Do you wanna seat there?
SPEAKER 2: Serve and return interaction
is critical for a child's developing brain.
And the best news is that you can do it
any time, anywhere, without any need for toys or technology.
SPEAKER 1: Look for small opportunities
throughout the day, like while you're making a snack,
or while you're grocery shopping.
What matters most is that you're doing each of these five steps.
Notice the serve and share the child's focus of attention.
Return the serve by supporting and encouraging.
Name it, take turns going back and forth,
and practice endings and beginnings.
SPEAKER 2: Serve and return interactions
make everyday moments fun and become second nature
with practice.
Try practicing with a child today.
[MUSIC PLAYING]